As the state top-ranked Clovis Buchanan wrestling team hurried out the back door of the Poway High gym, one of their top-ranked wrestlers turned at the door, looked back at the scene and mouthed the words, “What just happened?”

What he witnessed leaving him stunned was, despite trailing by 12 points with three matches to go, host Poway swept all three matches to upset the Bears 31-30 Saturday afternoon.

“I try to tell myself we have to celebrate this, but in my coach’s mind I saw so much there is still to work on to get better,” said Poway head coach John Meyers. “I’m so satisfied as a team, I guess I’ll head down to Kaminski’s (Sports Lounge) and get back in the room Monday.

“You can bet the moment those guys (Buchanan) went out the back door that’s what they were thinking.”

The Titans must be getting to the Bears heads after winning their dual in Fresno last year, ending their run of seven straight state titles three weeks later, and then this.

In a match that started at 215 pounds, the battle came down to the final three matches. The Bears held a seemingly commanding 30-18 lead after No. 1 ranked Leo Contino scored an impressive 11-1 major decision over Bailey Holman at 157.

The rally started as Poway’s top-ranked 165-pounder Mario Carini took the mat. The sophomore raced out to a 9-2 lead on fifth-ranked Damian Montoya. His hopes for bonus points were spoiled when Montoya got a takedown in the third period for the 9-5 final.

Now down 30-21 with just two matches left, bonus points were absolutely required.

Senior 175-pounder Gunnar Neal, No. 6 in the state, did his job. The son of assistant coach, wrestling great and former New England Patriot Stephen Neal, got three takedowns and an escape to defeat Patrick Roberts 11-1 to close the gap to 30-25.

“If someone would have told me a year ago Gunnar would be No. 6 in the state and win like this, I would have said you were crazy,” said Meyers.

“I knew I had to get bonus points so I went out aggressive,” said Neal, whose takedown at the buzzer of the first period set the tone of the bout.

Enter senior 190-pounder Dominic Dotson, needing a pin to win.

“Before I went on the mat, I told Angelo (Posada) I was going to get him with a cradle,” said Dotson.

It didn’t take long for the prophecy to come true.

His lightning-quick, single-leg takedown went right into a cradle. A little rocking of the Bears’ Raiden Bishop’s back and he steadied him for the pin in just 31 seconds, setting off an eruption in the packed gym.

“I’m so happy for the team,” said Dotson, currently No. 8 in the state. “I needed to prove to them they could rely on me. I was nervous but turned that in my favor.”

The Titans started the match taking a 15-6 lead after four rounds. Posada got a forfeit at 215, Mick Moylan scored an 18-3 tech fall at 285 in 5:21 and Rene Cordero registered a 12-2 major decision at 113.

Matt Orbeta posted a big decision at 138, besting returning state medalist Blake Woodward 7-4.

POWAY 31, CLOVIS BUCHANAN 30

215 – Posada (P) won by forfeit; 285 – Moylan (P) tech fall Sejay 5:21 (18-3); 106 – Vang (B) pin Scrapper :40; 113 – Cordero (P) md Chacon 12-2; 120 – Paul Ruiz (B) won by forfeit; 126 – Paris Ruiz (B) dec Jones 6-0; 132 – Besmer (B) dec Townson 6-0; 138 – Orbeta (P) dec Woodward 7-4; 144 – Toscano (B) dec Kikiniou 1-0; 150 – Arias (B) md  Valdivizio 4:07 (23-8); 157 – Contino (B) md Holman 11-1; 165 – Carini (P) dec Montalvo 9-5; 175 – Neal (P) md Roberts 10-1; 190 –  Dotson (P) pin Bishop :31.

Originally Published: February 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM PST